Opinion: STAT+: Dementia should be a campaign issue — not an insult
STAT’s Neurotransmissions columnist Jason Karlawish asks: What are the harms of the way politicians talk about dementia? What should they say instead?
Hot summer days have passed, but the midterm election season is gaining momentum. The key topics for the upcoming November 3 vote include the economy, healthcare, and immigration. However, another issue demands our attention: dementia. Approximately 7.1 million Americans currently suffer from dementia, and 12 million friends and family members are providing care for them.
The emotional toll, financial burden, and time caregivers invest into their work all contribute to significant costs for American families. As the population ages, these hardships and expenses are expected to escalate in the years ahead. Dementia is undoubtedly a pressing matter, yet a concerning reality remains: politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties often discuss it not as adults, but as a derogatory insult.
This pattern was particularly evident during the 2024 election cycle, when opponents were repeatedly accused of having dementia. Regrettably, the derogatory remarks continue to persist in this midterm election season.
Written by urgent.news from STAT News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
